Everton have just missed out on the ideal Idrissa Gana Gueye successor

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It all went wrong for Everton on the final day of the 2025/26 season, and it now looks like one transfer pursuit has ended before it’s even begun.

David Moyes’ side finished 13th in the Premier League table in the end, dropping a couple of spots after losing to Tottenham Hotspur.

Are there any players from the relegated clubs you want to see Everton go after this summer? 🤔

Wolves, Burnley and West Ham have all lost their Premier League status…

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Everton produced a rotten performance down in north London, to end the season with a seven-game winless run.

In the end, Bournemouth, Brighton and Sunderland were the teams who made it into Europe, with Sunderland’s achievement especially frustrating from an Everton point of view.

And there is also potentially another reason why Sunderland’s qualification for the Europa League is bad news for Everton.

• READ MORE: Everton’s latest transfer rumours: Kieran Trippier, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Diego Leite and more

Everton can surely forget any summer move for Noah Sadiki

It was reported earlier this year that Everton were one of several clubs showing interest in Noah Sadiki.

The midfielder only joined Sunderland last summer, but has caught the eye for the Black Cats on a regular basis.

Sadiki made 33 appearances for them in the Premier League, playing almost 3000 minutes.

And with the dust now settled on the season, the versatile Congo international is receiving his flowers from the Sunderland fans, who believe he’s been integral to their European push.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
6	BournemouthBournemouth	38	13	18	7	58	54	4	57
7	SunderlandSunderland	38	14	12	12	42	48	-6	54
8	BrightonBrighton	38	14	11	13	52	46	6	53
9	BrentfordBrentford	38	14	11	13	55	52	3	53
10	ChelseaChelsea	38	14	10	14	58	52	6	52
11	FulhamFulham	38	15	7	16	47	51	-4	52
12	NewcastleNewcastle	38	14	7	17	53	55	-2	49
13	EvertonEverton	38	13	10	15	47	50	-3	49
14	LeedsLeeds	38	11	14	13	49	56	-7	47
15	Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace	38	11	12	15	41	51	-10	45
16	Nottingham ForestNottingham Forest	38	11	11	16	48	51	-3	44
17	TottenhamTottenham	38	10	11	17	48	57	-9	41
18	West HamWest Ham	38	10	9	19	46	65	-19	39
19	BurnleyBurnley	38	4	10	24	38	75	-37	22
20	WolvesWolves	38	3	11	24	27	68	-41	20

Surely now, there is little chance of him making a quick exit from the Stadium of Light when Sunderland are on the exciting and ambitious journey that they are.

Everton may have been keen, but Sadiki is not about to ditch Europa League football to come to Everton, who cannot offer that.

The Toffees could have, and were in a great position to do so at one point. But Everton’s terrible finish to the season naturally leaves them a less attractive proposition now.

Sadiki could have been a great Idrissa Gana Gueye successor

There remains uncertainty over the future of Idrissa Gana Gueye.

Everton hold an option to extend his contract by a further 12 months. But that will be dependent on both club and player. It’s not yet clear if the hierarchy feel he’s done enough to warrant the option being triggered, nor if he actually wants to stay.

Sadiki would have made an excellent successor to Gueye.

As per The Scouting App, Sadiki is ‘outstanding’. They said of him: “Despite not being a particularly tall player, he is extremely powerful, compact and competitive.

“He excels in ground duels, both with and without the ball, using strength, timing and determination to impose himself.

“His explosiveness, stamina and intensity make him very suited to the demands of Premier League football, where rhythm and physicality are decisive factors. He recovers ground quickly, reacts well to transitions and is constantly active.”

Those words could certainly be applied to Gueye, although he is obviously on the wane now at 36 years old.

Unfortunately, the chance to sign Sadiki looks to have gone begging for Everton following the events of the final day of the season.